Thursday, 30 November 2017

Blurb

He's an overworked police chief, and she's a disgraced cop. Can he rescue her from her own depths of hell without losing his heart to her in the process?

Someone is kidnapping newborn infants and selling them to the highest bidder. Police Chief Patrick Carter has his hands full investigating the case. To complicate matters, he's short on staff.

Jade Harlowe has secrets, ones that she vowed no one would ever know. She used to be a police officer, but when a tragedy occurred—one that everyone held her responsible for—she resigned and moved to another state to start over, accepting a job as a dispatcher for the police, fire, and ambulance departments.

When Patrick discovers Jade's past police experience he offers her a job on the force. He needs help working the kidnapping cases, and Jade previously solved a similar case, so she could be a valuable asset. But will they be able to fight the attraction that's sizzling between them? Something that could be very distracting if they can't control it.

The clock is ticking. They have to find those babies and prevent more from being taken. But a very nosy news reporter may compromise everything if she digs deep enough to uncover Jade's past.

Neither Patrick nor Jade thought they had room for each other in their lives, but working so closely together makes it impossible to deny the chemistry. Can Patrick break through the wall Jade has built up around her, or will her past finally catch up with her and she loses everything once again

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Excerpt

When Jade arrived at the police station that
morning, she saw that Patrick’s vehicle was already there. Why was he in the
office so early?

She scanned her ID to get into the
communication call room. She acknowledged the two dispatchers still on duty,
then grabbed her mug and went to the break room. After pouring herself a cup of
coffee, she headed back. On her way, she greeted two officers and walked by
Patrick’s opened office door.

“Jade, in my office. I need to talk to you,”
Patrick said.

“Okay.” She didn’t report to him, so why did he
want to see her? She entered his office.

“Close the door,” he commanded, his voice
terse.

She closed the door and sat in the chair in
front of his desk.

“There was another kidnapping last night.
Here’s the file on both kidnappings and files from other known cases to
cross-reference. I need you to investigate the cases and try to get these
babies back and prevent another one from being taken. I want you to go out into
the street, ask questions, get in people’s faces, and help solve this crime.”

“Um, not an officer, Patrick.”

“You are now. If you’ll stand, I’ll swear you
in.” He opened the desk drawer to get the book out.

“You can’t make me an officer, just like that.”

“Yes, I can. I know you were an officer in
Oklahoma City, and I know your credentials are up-to-date. You are certified
and ready to be an officer. All I need to do is swear you in.”

“You checked up on me?” Jade asked, her voice
faltering.

“No, at first, I called the Oklahoma City
Police to find out about the kidnapping case you mentioned. In the course of my
discussion with the chief, I asked if he knew you, which he said he did.”

“Then you know what happened there.”

“No, they couldn’t tell me due to your
non-disclosure stipulation.”

“Then you shouldn’t hire me.”

“I’m giving you an opportunity here. This is
your chance to prove yourself. You are given full range to investigate the
cases. You’ll report back to me every day as part of your training. I will
guide you to where and how to solve this crime and many others. Now, are you up
to it and ready to start?”

“But…Patrick…um…Chief. This is so sudden. I...”
She was speechless, she didn’t want to do an investigation into a possible
kidnapping. She didn’t want to handle cases that involved children. How could
she get out of this? Did she really want to get out of this?

“Say yes so we can get started.”

“You sure about this?” She wasn’t, but she
couldn’t tell him no. This was the kind of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you
didn’t turn down. It felt strange though; he never talked this fast, and he
wanted her decision now.

“Yes, I’m sure. So, what do you say?”

“Chief, I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“Why not?”

What could she tell him? “I’ve been away from
police work a long time, and I’ve never been a detective. I was only in
training to be one.”

“Your previous employer said that you were
showing signs of being a good detective. Jade, I need a detective. I need fresh
eyes, someone quick to analyze the situation and get to the bottom of this. I’m
offering you a chance to prove you are the right person to do the job. Anyone
else would jump at the opportunity. Why are you hesitating?”

“I…um...” She couldn’t tell him she didn’t want
to work baby or children cases. You couldn’t be selective when you were a
detective. You took all jobs, no matter how difficult or painful it was.

“Have you talked to the fire chief? Does he
know?”

“Yes. I talked to him this morning. He’s going
to hire someone to replace you.”

“What about the police commissioners?”

“I’ll deal with them.”

She stared at Patrick and swallowed a big lump
in the back of her throat. A detective? Her heart hammered hard in her chest.
Could she do it? If he knew her past, why would he even consider her for the
job? Talk about a bombshell dropping. Couldn’t she have time to consider it?

But a little glimmer of hope sparked in her
heart. So there was a chance for her to redeem herself? She’d be stupid to turn
down the opportunity. “Okay. I’ll do the best I can.”

“Good.” Patrick stood up, pulled out a Bible,
and said, “Place your hand on this and repeat after me.”

After she was sworn in, they sat back down and
Patrick went over the second kidnapping with her and handed her the files.

“I want you to work with Clyde on this, as he’s
been doing the legwork. Between this case, the first case, and a murder case,
he’s been pulling double duty trying to handle everything. But before you go
out anywhere, you check in with me and let me know what you and Clyde are
doing.”

She wished she could say she’d do the murder
case. “It looks like this second baby was taken the same way. The two cases are
likely related. Did you have any evidence that we can use?”

“So far, no. CSI went to the second scene this
morning to gather any trace evidence there, but we won’t know anything for a
couple of days. When you investigated the case in Oklahoma City, how did you
crack it?”

“I posed as a woman wanting to adopt a baby.”

“How did you know who to connect with?”

“It was a long shot. I started with the
kidnapped baby’s mother, then it went to a person who knew a person who knew a
person. Then I created an identity of a woman desperate to adopt. I made sure I
stayed visible and willing to try anything to get a baby.”

“I see.”

Jade rose, walked to the door, and put her hand
on the doorknob, but before opening it, she turned to him. “Are you sure you
want me to do this?”

Patrick leaned back in his chair and stared at
her as if he was reflecting on something. “Yes, I’m sure. There are a lot of
things we need to discuss. But right now I need you to get on board with Clyde,
quickly, and start working this case while it’s still hot.”

“Okay. Where do you want me to work?”

“The next room down the hall is the detectives’
squad room.” He gestured with his thumb. “Grab whatever desk and computer you
want. Stop by the lock-up room and get Mike to assign you a gun.”

The case was the opportunity of a lifetime for
her. It gave her the chance to prove to herself, to Patrick, and the whole
world, that she could do the job. Would solving this help make up for the child
whose life was taken because of what she did?

She took a deep breath, opened the door, and
headed to the lock-up room. She had walked into the station today as a
nine-one-one dispatcher, and was now walking out as a detective.

About Constance Bretes

I started writing contemporary romance and contemporary romance suspense fifteen years ago, and after multiple rejections, got my first contract for Delayed Justice, released in 2014.

I lives in Basin, Montana, where three feline furballs own me and my husband, and a dog that lives next door named Sara, who thinks she also lives with the Bretes family. I love the mountains that surround my home, I love basket weaving, jewelry making, and just visiting all the folks in the small community we live in.

I currently have seven books published, and a number of other ones in various stages of edits. Right now, I’m working on a new book, called Roadside Love. A murder mystery/romance is a small town in Wyoming. I have two other books that are at the end of their editing days and now at critique partners, the books are Elkhorn In The Moonlight and Rocky River Gold. Both are small town romances.

Be sure to visit Connie's webpage, navigate to the News & Things, and enter the monthly rafflecopter at the bottom of the page. Join her newsletter mailing list also at that site, and you will get my newsletter, once a month and only occasionally, anytime the rest of the month, if something s come up after the newsletter was sent out.

Beverley is giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. Remember you may increase your chances of winning by visiting the other tour stops. You may find those locations here.

About the Book:

Two years ago, she missed their secret assignation and disappeared without a trace. Now the divine "Miss Hope" is in Felix Durham’s bed - a 'surprise cheering-up gift' sourced by his friends from London's most exclusive brothel. Felix is in heaven - and he wants to stay there.So does Hope, but she can’t.Hope Merriweather lives by a code of honour – even if she’s a prostitute.Having sold her soul, she’s prepared to sacrifice everything else to protect what she believes in.Even if honour – in her eyes – comes at the cost of thieving and breaking hearts. Including her own.

Chapter OneWilfred Hunt.If there was a name to tip Hope into the abyss of despair she was hearing it spill from Madame Chambon’s lips now as the older woman directed Hope to take a seat in the reception room, presumably so Madame could loom oppressively over her.With her hands on her ample, expensively padded hips, Hope’s benefactress—procuress, employer and gaoler were other monikers—sent Hope a beetling look that needed no interpreting: Regardless of Hope’s true feelings, Hope must project the required show of warmth and delight at being the chosen one.Madame patted the side of her faux curls. Years of hot irons had reduced her hair to the texture of wool but her crowning glory these days was supplemented by the lustrous locks of those girls who dared cross her – before they were thrown back into the street from where most had come.Nevertheless, Hope had to make her resistance clear. Surely Madame who knew her history would understand her loathing for this man, above all others. “I shan’t do it,” she whispered. There was little evidence of the willful child and wild adolescent who’d been the despair of her family. “I won’t—”Outside, the noise of the traffic rumbling over the cobbles and the shrill calls of competing vendors settled upon the tense silence. Madame Chambon’s other girls, ranged around the sumptuously appointed room on red velvet upholstered banquettes, watched the exchange with prurient fascination. Hope knew it had been a calculated ploy of Madame’s to conduct her interview in public so that Hope would serve as an example to them.No one crossed Madame Chambon.The shrill cry of a fishmonger caused Madame to look pointedly out of the window. With something between a smile and a sneer, she smoothed a Marcel wave. “Is that where you plan to return, Hope? The gutter?” Her nose twitched and in the sunlight that filtered into the room, the grooves chiselled between mouth and chin were thrown into harsh relief, highlighted rather than hidden by the thick powder she used to conceal her age.Madame Chambon’s comfort, now and into retirement, depended on obedient girls. Hope knew that as well as anyone. She’d had to bury her rebellious streak just to ensure food in her belly.The Frenchwoman raised a chiselled brow and began to pace slowly in front of her girls. A painter with an eye for beauty would have been ecstatic at capturing such a spectacle on canvas. The discerning young man about town who visited 56 Albemarle Street was frequently rendered ecstatic by the range of delights Madame Chambon's girls offered in addition to the visual.“You forget yourself, Hope. I put a roof over your head and deck you out as handsomely as Mr Charles Worth ever did for his most discerning customer.” There was acid in Madame Chambon’s tone. “But for me, you'd be starving and glad of the pennies you could trade for a grubby stand-up encounter in a dark alley.” Madame Chambon thrust out her bosom and breathed through her nose, her response a calculated warning to the other girls arranged in various languid poses about the ornately decorated reception room that intransigence would not be tolerated.“Mr Hunt has requested you.” She paused and when Hope remained silent, though her stance and expression left no one in any doubt as to her horror regarding this enforced assignation, went on. “Remember what I told you—what I tell all my girls when they first come here? The past must be forgotten the moment you step over my threshold. You are reborn, remodelled, refashioned into the most exquisite delectation of womanhood. A marquess, a prince, is well recompensed for the tidy sum he hands over in order to enjoy your sparkling wit, to converse with you in French, or if he chooses, on philosophy…to enjoy your charms…and,” she added significantly, “your gracious hospitality and tender ministrations to his needs. That is our agreement and you are no different. If Mr Hunt wishes you, Hope, to attend him at his residence then you will go.”Faith, one of the kinder girls, patted Hope’s arm in silent solidarity. Hope didn’t expect any of them to speak up in her defence. Not when they all relied on Madame Chambon as much as she did to provide them with the necessities of life. Anything more than that was part of a strict contract that indentured a girl for life unless she was able to secure a generous benefactor to settle Madame's severance bill. The fine clothes were part of the charade, necessary to entice a more elite clientele. Hope’s exquisite wardrobe did not belong to her though she'd have forsaken all the dupion silk and Spitalfields lace for the freedom of the gutter and to be mistress of her own destiny – and her body - if she could only be sure of a plate of gravy and potatoes every second day.Closing her eyes, she hung her head, the carefully coiffed curls that fell forwards brushing against her tear-streaked cheeks. It was as well that they not be in evidence. Tears, weakness, vulnerability were like a red rag to a bull where Madame Chambon was concerned.“How long…do I have to prepare myself?” She was not so stupid she couldn’t admit defeat when there was no alternative. Obduracy was beaten out of one, but tears ensured a girl got the very worst next assignment. Their clients weren’t all marquesses and princes, though they did require a very fat pocket book.“Tomorrow.”“Tomorrow.” Hope repeated it in a leaden tone, and stared at her hands, clasped in her lap; white-knuckled. As white as the rabbit-fur that edged her fashionable black-and-white striped satin cuirass. Hope had the tall, slim figure suited to the scandalously tight tie-back skirts that were all the rage, the back flowing into a train adorned with elaborate swags and trimmed with bows. She'd turned heads the length of Oxford Street as she’d promenaded along the pavement following a walk through Hyde Park earlier that afternoon. In fact, for the first time in two years, she’d almost felt happy as she’d pretended a sense of freedom in the afternoon sun, blocking her mind to the prison to which she was returning.She drew in her breath and forced herself to be brave, knowing the punishment she’d invite for daring to speak her mind. “Please tell Mr Hunt I will see him again under sufferance.”Madame Chambon’s voice was surprisingly caramel. “Well then, now that you have made your objection clear, Hope, you will be pleased to hear that Mr Hunt’s desires are not only motivated by fond memories of your no-doubt mutually satisfying congress. I believe he wishes to acquaint you with news of your family.”Hope hid her shock. “I have no family.” With care, she modified her tone so it was as leaden as before though emotion roiled close to the surface.“Not even a sister?”Hope raised her chin. Here was the chink and Madame knew it. The woman did her research.Aware that the other girls who surrounded her were tense with anticipation, Hope struggled not to respond. Camaraderie existed at surface level but one never knew when it might profit one to have the dirt on a fellow prostitute. It was, clearly, another reason Madame Chambon had chosen to make this conversation public.“Mr Hunt will see you at nine tomorrow evening,” said the so-called Frenchwoman who, it was whispered, was from the gutters of Lambeth, not Paris. “At his apartments in Duke Street. Now go and prepare yourself for Lord Farrow. Married to a monolith like the venerable Lady Farrow, he likes his girls vivacious and free-spirited. There’ll be less coin in your pocket if you sully the transaction with that long face, Hope.”~*~*~*~*~*~Author Info:

Beverley Oakley was seventeen when she bundled up her first her 500+ page romance and sent it to a publisher. Unfortunately drowning her heroine on the last page was apparently not in line with the expectations of romance readers so Beverley became a journalist.

Twenty-six years later Beverley was delighted to receive her first publishing contract from Robert Hale (UK) for a romance in which she ensured her heroine was saved from drowning in the icy North Sea.

Since 2009 Beverley has written more than thirteen historical romances, mostly set in England during the early nineteenth century. Mystery, intrigue and adventure spill from their pages and if she can pull off a thrilling race to save someone’s honour – or a worthy damsel from the noose – it’s time to celebrate with a good single malt Scotch.

Beverley lives with her husband, two daughters and a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy the size of a pony opposite a picturesque nineteenth century lunatic asylum. She also writes Africa-set adventure-filled romances tarring handsome bush pilot heroes, and historical romances with less steam and more sexual tension, as Beverley Eikli.

Tuesday, 28 November 2017

Welcome. It's book hook time again. This week I'm sharing the second book of my Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge e-box set - Sex Scandal and the Sheriff.

Sean Mathews, former SEAL turned local sheriff has always been a player until he meets Jazz. She comes with baggage in the form of a spy scandal, and the bad guys haven't given up yet.

Excerpt

Sean swallowed and started to apologize, but Jared already had his arm around her shoulders as he ushered her out the door. Tonight, Sean decided, must be his night to hurt the women he cared about. He’d known Abigail all her life, apart from the eight years he’d served as a Navy SEAL. Once he left the service, working as the small-town sheriff had satisfied his need to protect the people he loved. It hit him hard that he was head over heels in love with Jazz, and he’d die to protect her too.

Love grew slowly, like a flower coming into bloom, or so he’d thought. Jazz dropped like a boulder from the sky, crushing him and knocking the air out of his lungs. He needed to smooth over whatever had upset her earlier even if he had to keep his hands off her, at least until New Year’s Eve. That gave him chance to get to know her better and win her friendship along with her heart—but he’d be damned if anyone else would kiss in the New Year with her. Her lips were meant for him alone.

He’d no idea how to approach her again, but he craved a future with her at his side. They couldn’t deny their sexual attraction, but he wanted something bigger and better, something strong enough to sustain them as they grew old.

For the first time, he wanted the friendship, the love, and the laughter that married couples shared, but he’d never needed to court a woman before. Usually they threw themselves at him, and before tonight, he’d loved it. Now, becoming a one-gal guy seemed the best thing in the world.

Amazon Buy Links

Blurb

Jasmine Stewart (Jazz to her friends) falls for the blond stranger when he spanks and seduces her at a Washington soiree. Later, when she discovers her flatmate is trying to draw her into a spy ring, she goes to the authorities. The ensuing publicity costs her her job, her security, and her future. Starting over in Westhorpe Ridge is her only option.

Sean Mathews, former SEAL and Westhorpe Ridge’s sheriff, can’t forget the woman he spanked when he visited Washington, but he thinks she’s a spy. When she turns up in Westhorpe Ridge, he tries everything to make her leave town. Despite their misunderstandings, though, they can’t keep their hands off each other.

As Year’s Eve looms, the spy ring resurfaces. Jazz will need all of Sean’s SEAL prowess to survive. But because his wounded leg cost him his speed in the water, will it be enough?

Please see what my fellow authors are sharing by clicking on the links below.

Monday, 27 November 2017

BLURB

There are two words that described Kai. Remote and Deadly.And until six months ago, he was fine with that description. But when the vampire assassin spots a curvaceous woman, a human no less, who would come to fill his thoughts, he would gladly shake his persona for a moment in time with her. Instead, he kept his distance, watching out for her and learning more about her every time their paths crossed. But he had yet to speak to her. When a turn of events thrusts her into his solitary life, he must decide whether to complete his assignment, or protect her. Olivia Sabin had dedicated her life to her work; finding a cure for cancer. She had hidden behind the mask of a scientist who cares little about anything beyond her laboratory, and for a long while she believed it herself. But when a mysterious man came to frequent the diner she visited nightly, her awareness of him devastated her concentration, and she came to look forward to the glimpses of him, however brief. When she stumbles upon a horrific experiment at work, she knows he’s the only one she can turn to. She’s willing to sacrifice everything in order to protect him and others of his kind from the same fate. But first, she needs to find a way to get him to hear her explanation.

BUY LINKS

EXCERPT #1

That night, he had been trailing Ms. Na soon after the sky darkened, and he watched as she slipped past security of a biotech company. For long minutes, he had thought he lost her. When she emerged with a box under her arm, she glanced around to see whether she had been spotted, and happened to glance in his direction and froze. He knew that she couldn’t have spotted him, and yet she acted as though she did.

Within seconds, she had darted toward what he assumed was another exit, and his eyes widened when she jumped up to the corner of the building, and pushed off. He soon realized what she was doing. Ricocheting back and forth between the wall and the corner of the building, it took her three leaps before she launched herself successfully up and over the wall.

Without hesitation, he launched himself over the barrier with ease. When he landed, he felt the unmistakable press of a knife against his neck. His eyes glanced down at the tactical curved weapon, and almost started when she pressed her lithe body against his back instead of pressing the knife harder against his skin.

“Hello, gorgeous,” she purred.

He didn’t respond in kind, but considering all he could feel was her body, he knew that she ditched the package somewhere close, or had given it to someone. He doubted that she worked with anyone, so it had to be close. He didn’t really care about what it contained because the box wasn’t his assignment—she was—but he needed confirmation that what she had stolen was dangerous.

Her hand opened on his chest and caressed his pecs before it moved lower. Her hand grazed over his cock, taking her time to explore, before she slid her hands underneath his tight black shirt. Her touch caused no reaction.

“You don’t talk much, but you don’t need to in order to fuck.”

He heard the knife stick into the ground, and before he could react, she opened her fingers and pressed harder against his taut skin. He used her inattention to kick the knife away and scanned the area for the package. He spotted it easily.

Without answering, he turned around and pressed her against the wall, using his body to keep her off the ground, and buried his face against her neck. As he pressed his hard body against hers, she spoke in Chinese, a language he didn’t understand. He didn’t bother asking her what she said.

“What did you steal?” He distracted her by using his tongue, sliding against her collarbone, up her neck, until he had the lobe between his teeth. Biting down, he could smell her desire for him intensify. Although he hadn’t fucked a human in a long while, he found his lack of interest in the beautiful spy to be slightly irritating, yet expected.

“Biological agent,” she gasped.

His hand slid to her ass and pressed her harder against him, using her pleasure to keep her distracted from his next move. He almost regretted that he wouldn’t be able to sink his cock into her tightness, somehow knowing that she would have kept up with his sexual demands. But instead of feeling desire, he felt nothing.

He scraped his teeth against her skin, a warning as to what was to come, a split second before his fangs pierced her throat.

His targets always fought, a survival instinct that the humans had, yet rarely used. She was no different. Her fists pounded against his chest, and he barely felt it. Her blood, although he expected a sweetness to it, had a horrid metallic taste that he hated. Her heartbeat fluttered in her chest, and her arms gave out before her body sagged against his. With one final beat of her heart, any sounds from her ceased, and he released her.

Although her blood gave him strength, the taste of those he killed had worsened over the years, and he could barely stand to drain them dry. In this case, he used her desire to his advantage. The taste would dissipate soon, he hoped.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Valerie writes paranormal and contemporary romances with strong alpha males and brilliant, beautiful heroines. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her wonderfully supportive husband and their funny and wise black lab. She's addicted to coffee, crime shows, and reading and writing character driven romances.

Tuesday, 21 November 2017

Welcome to Book hooks, the Marketing For Romance Writers blog hop where we share snippets from out books. This week I'm sharing an excerpt from Sex Scandal, and the Sheriff - available as a stand alone romance or as part of handy holiday box set.

Sean Mathews, former Seal turned sheriff planned to propose to Jazz on New Year's Eve, but foreign agents had other

ideas.

Please read and enjoy the excerpt below - and please check out the other author's offering by clicking the links below.

My Snippet

Sean's brother, Ethan, stood on his rear porch, his body up close and personal with the wall. Blinking, Sean opened the door, and Ethan slid inside. “I’m shit at this cloak-and-dagger stuff you SEALs excel at. Let’s get out of sight.”

Sean followed his brother into the inner stairwell. Ethan sat on the bottom step, pulled out his phone, and handed it to Sean. “I’m not coming home for the holidays again if things like this happen. So, does this mean anything to you?”

We’ve got your girlfriend. You can have her as a sex slave if you come for a cruise on our yacht. Bring your research. Be on the beach at 6pm and expect a long trip. Tell no one or she’s shark bait.

Sean read it through twice, grabbed his own cell phone, and dialed Jazz’s number. It went to voicemail. Her bakery phone rang and rang when he called. His eyes narrowed, and his fists curled. “Someone’s taken Jazz, but I don’t understand.”

Ethan frowned. “And Jazz is?”

Clenching and unclenching his fists, Sean paced the tiny hall. “The woman I met when I took your place at the blasted soiree. You know how the scandal sucked her in? Well, a short while later she arrived in Westhorpe Ridge. I intend to propose to her on the stroke of midnight tonight. I want the New Year to be the start of my new life with Jazz, and as a former SEAL, I’m not letting a little thing like a kidnapping stop me.”

More at home in a research lab than around people, Ethan frowned. “So, what do we do? And why would I want your lady friend? It doesn’t make sense.”

Like a caged lion, Sean kept pacing. “It does if they still believe I’m you. What the hell sort of research are you involved in? And if you say top secret, I’ll ram your tonsils down your throat.”

Blurb:

Identical twins, Verity and Felicity (Lissie) Pettigrew inherit an abandoned farm in the remote hills of the Methow Valley. Little do the twins know, but their windfall harbors a secret. While exploring the old barn, Verity stumbles into a hidden portal and is instantly transported more than one hundred years into the past.

In 1885, on the same farm, Will Dawson is saddling his horse when a disturbance in a corner of the barn catches his attention. In his haste to rescue the gorgeous woman in the center of the disturbance, Will is flung far into the future.

Meanwhile, Lissie arrives on the farm looking for Verity, but finds the handsome, slightly suspicious cowboy instead. From their first words to one another, sparks fly.

Lissie’s modern manners and profane language offend Will. His solution? Some old-fashioned discipline delivered on the spot.

Affronted by Will’s distinctly un-twenty-first century approach to male/female relationships, Lissie challenges his authority at every turn in spite of nearly always ending up over his knee.

Meanwhile, Verity must deal with life in 1885. Although accepted into Will’s family, she longs to get back to the 21st century and the man she loves.

Can Will live in a future in which progress comes at the price of everything he holds dear? Can Lissie win him over, and teach him that women can be independent and willful but still soft and sexy? Will Verity find her way back to the man she loves?

Publishers note: This stand alone love story includes scenes of domestic discipline and spicy romance.

The man was tall, over six feet, with broad shoulders and a slim waist. Clean-shaven with intense silver-grey eyes, he didn’t look happy to see them. This had to be another one of Verity’s practical jokes. His denim jeans, leather vest with deep pockets, and old-fashioned Stetson were straight from a costume store. His thin cotton shirt hugged him like a second skin, emphasizing his buff body. The only worrying detail was the gun and holster set.

Lissie pointed her chin at the revolver in his hand. “That’s not a very nice way to greet your hosts,” she said, trying to ignore the blood pounding in her ears. Verity had pulled some major pranks in her time but this was the first time she’d hired an actor to point a gun at her sisters. At least Verity had hired a hottie for this job.

“Who are you? Why are the two of you wearing men’s clothes?” The man frowned as he spoke, his slow drawl sounding out of place in the 21st century, even in this small country town.

“Who are you and what are you doing lighting fires on our land?” Lissie smiled sweetly, waiting for Verity to spring out of the bushes, yelling gotcha.

“I’m the one with the gun. Maybe you’d better start talking. My name is William Dawson. Mr. Dawson to you.”

“We’re innocent cowgirls, looking for our sister, Mr. Dawson, sir.” Even as she heaped on the sarcasm, it started to occur to Lissie this might not be a joke. His tone had been disapproving. Impatience still clouded his eyes. That made her bolder, if only to draw his attention away from Hope. “I’m Felicity and this is my sister, Hope. That’s Felicity and Hope to you.” Now might be a time not to give him too much information, she decided.

“I’ve been here a couple of hours now and you’re the first people I’ve seen.” He kept eyeing the truck nervously.

Lissie watched him. “What’s wrong with you? Never seen an F350 before?”

“No.” He looked at the girls one more time before slipping his gun back into its holster. “I don’t even know what an F350 is.”

“C’mon,” Lissie chided. “Have you been living under a rock? An F350 is a truck. They’re everywhere. This is mine.” She pointed to the blue one she’d just hopped out of. “And this one here belongs,” she pointed to Verity’s silver pick up, “to my sister. Verity came out here earlier today. She was going to organize the kitchen and bedrooms. Tomorrow the electricians are going to turn on the electricity to the house.”

“Electricity,” Will sounded out the word, as if it was Latin or Greek. “I’ve heard of that.”

Hope burst out laughing. “Okay, Verity,” she said to the bushes, “good joke. You can come out now.”

“I told you,” he said fiercely, “I’m the only one here.”

Lissie grinned. “I believe you, cowboy.” To keep his eyes off Hope, she moved closer, swinging her hips. In case he was some sort of psycho, she needed to do everything she could to save her little sister. She moved with far more confidence than she felt. As she approached him, she caught his grass, leather, and onions scent. It was a primal smell that spoke of hard work and honest labor. It was far more appealing than she wanted it to be.

If he was part of a practical joke, she’d make Verity pay. If he was something more dangerous than that, she wanted all his attention focused on her. “What do you do when you’re not pranking innocent girls? Are you a movie extra or something?”

He narrowed his eyes at her as she sidled her body next to his.

She brushed some dust from his shoulder. “I’ve been asking Santa for someone like you my entire life. I guess the wait was worth it.” She ran her hand over the front of his leather vest. “This is nice and soft, just like your lips, I bet.” She made a kissy face at him.

He caught her wrist. “What sort of a girl are you, talking to a man like that?” His grey eyes glinted with outrage.

“I’m a modern sort of a girl,” she said. “I take what I like.” She reached with her other hand and stroked the dark hair that curled around his ears and under his hat. “Nice.”

Before she could register what he was doing, he grabbed her hands and pinned them behind her back. His long, muscular fingers held her two wrists together effortlessly.

Don’t miss these other great books from Libby Campbell and Blushing Books:

Libby Campbell, spanking writer and mischief maker

Libby Campbell writes in the bay window of her mock-Tudor home, fueled by coffee, chocolate, and many cups of fragrant tea. Sharing a love of hiking, road trips, and an occasional night of dancing, Libby and her husband live on a rocky island in the Pacific Northwest.

Libby savors her evening bubble baths where she sings along to her favorite music, safe in the knowledge that no one can hear her. She loves all animals, but particularly small dogs with big attitudes and big ones who think they are lap dogs. A woman for all seasons, Libby is happy cuddling in front of a winter fire, watching a summer sunset, listening to birds in the spring, and walking in the autumn rain.

Optimistic by nature, Libby wants a solid HEA in her reading and her writing. She writes the stories she wants to read. To see what she’s working on now, or how she formed her earlier novels, visit her Pinterest boards where she pins pictures that inspire her characters and their worlds.

To Seduce an Omega

Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf

Giving It UP For The Gods

Dominated by the Dragon

About Me

Kryssie Fortune writes the sort of hot sexy books she loves to read. If she can sneak a dragon into her paranormal books she will. Her paranormal heroes are muscular werewolves, arrogant Fae or BDSM loving dragons. Kryssie likes her contemporary heroes ex-military and dominant. Her heroines are kick ass females who can hold their own against whatever life - or Kryssie - throws at them.

Kryssie's pet hates are unhappy endings, and a series that end on a cliff hanger.Her books are all stand alone even when part of series. Plot always comes before sex, but when her heroines and heroes get together, the sex is explosive and explicit. One review called it downright sensual.